GERALD LEVERT DIES OF A HEART ATTACK

We are sad to report that R&B singer Gerald Levert died on November 10 of a heart attack in his hometown of Cleveland. He had just turned 40 in July. The son of O’Jays lead singer Eddie Levert, Levert had become a well-regarded singer/songwriter and producer. Gerald Levert came to prominence as a member of Atlantic Records’ Levert, comprised of his brother Sean and friend Marc Gordon. The trio scored with Pop in 1986, followed by the No.1 R&B/No. 5 pop hit Casanova. In 1991, he launched his solo career and went on to record eight solo albums, with the most recent being 2004’s Do I Speak For The World? Voices, is a compilation of Levert duets and was released last year. He was also a member of LSG, which included Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill. Levert’s talents also included songwriting and producing and his collaborations included projects with Barry White, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass and the Winans. He also co-wrote and co-produced Barry White’s last hit, 1994’s Practice What You Preach.